HC Deb 22 January 1947 vol 432 cc217-8
53. Colonel Stoddart-Scott

asked the Minister of Food why Mr. Davies, on leaving Sheffield to reside at 31, Primley Park Avenue, Alwoodly, Leeds, has been made to purchase his milk from the cooperative society, when the previous tenant dealt with a private milk retailer.

Mr. Strachey

Mr. Davies was registered with a co-operative society in Sheffield, and so, in order to maintain equity between the two sections of the trade, he must also register with one at his new address.

Colonel Stoddart-Scott

Is the Minister aware that this man's new address is not in Sheffield but in Leeds and that the previous occupier of the house purchased from a private milkman? When will the people of this country have their rudimentary freedom restored to them so that they can change their milkmen?

Mr. Strachey

The arrangement is, of course, that if a man registered with a private milkman moves, he must register with a private milkman, and if he is registered with a co-operative milkman and moves, he must register with a cooperative milkman—

Hon. Members

Why?

Mr. Strachey

Because under the arrangements made—

Sir W. Smithers

Dictatorship.

Mr. Strachey

The dictatorship of my predecessors but not my dictatorship. If this arrangement was disturbed now, both sides of the milk distribution trade would be most adversely affected.

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